Techaddicts.net-Corsair XMS PC3200 Memory Modules Review

Review by: Daniel

Date: 6/27/03

Provided by: Corsair

Corsair is well known for creating memory modules that exceed expectations in performance and value. Their memory modules are also selected by extreme PC users for their great overclocking values. Today, we are going to look at 2 sticks of Corsair's XMS PC3200 memory. We will use the memory in a DualDDR configuration in our tests.

These particular memory modules feature black colored heat spreaders, which makes the module look professional while cooling the chips underneath them. All Corsair memory modules are made to withstand extreme memory speeds and timings within the motherboard's settings. So a heat spreader is essential.

Taking a closer look at the memory module, there is a hologram sticker that features the specifications of the memory and the CL timing. This module has a timing of CAS2, which is a very fast for the memory module. Corsair states that it features 32Mx8 individual memory chips each with a 5ns access time. This module is designed with gamers in mind.

Latency:2-3-3-7-T1 for one module installed and certified to operate at 434 MHz.

Corsair also says that they have tested this memory module and verified that it could take up to a 434 MHz DDR clock speed, which is a 34 MHz DDR overclock which is great for your computers overall performance.

Installation of this memory module was as simple as other DDR memory modules. The black heat spreader on the Corsair goes well with Soltek's yellow motherboard PCB. Now, we did have a chance to open up the heat spreader to take a look at what chips Corsair is using. We verified them to be Winbond branded. We couldn't see the model number because the thermal tape ripped off the numbers.

In the graph above, you can see that the memory scores obviously pickup with the increase in MHz. Keep in mind that we kept the timings to Corsair's recommended timings, which is 6-2-2-2 for 133 MHz, and 7-3-3-2 for speeds higher than 166MHz. You can see that DualDDR technology helps a bit, from a score of 2994 Int. @ 200MHz in Single DDR mode to a score of 3152 Int. @ 200MHz, but no drastic increases in scores. DualDDR sounds like it is going to give you twice the speed, once you add a second stick of memory, but it doesn't. Overclocking the memory, we could only get a maximum speed of 410MHz DDR out of the Corsair. Corsair states that you can get a max of 434MHz. We couldn't achieve the results Corsair stated with both our KT400A and nForce 2 testing platforms.

This graph compares the Corsair, along with two other brands and speeds of memory. The Kingston was made to operate at PC3000, and the Dane-Elec at PC2700. We compare the Corsair (PC3200) against these two. At 166MHz, you can see that they are all about the same, but when the FSB is raised, only the Corsair and Kingston survived. The Samsung quit at an FSB of 172MHz. Running both the Corsair and Kingston at timings of 6-3-3-2, we see something interesting. The Kingston is actually faster by 9 points. There hardly any difference in performance by this small factor though.

Overall the Corsair does well in the tests. Offering extreme memory speeds like promised when over-clocked to 210MHz. The Corsair was also very stable during test, and hasn't crashed once on us. This memory is a bit more expensive than other brands, but what you get with the Corsair memory is guaranteed speed and performance. So the price difference is minimal for the performance you are getting out of these modules. Stay tuned as we hope to test out some of Corsair's DualDDR matched pair modules.

Techaddicts Computer Reviews would like to award the Corsair CMX256A-3200C2 XMS Memory Module with a score of 9.5 out of 10, and the Techaddicts.net Editor's Choice Award!